Aerosol generating apparatus provided with movable heater

ABSTRACT

An aerosol generating apparatus provided with a movable heater includes a heater that has an end portion into which a cigarette is inserted and heats the cigarette by operating by means of an electrical signal; a support portion supporting the heater to be movable within a pre-determined range in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette; and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the support portion, and rotating and transmitting a driving force to the heater to move the heater in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating apparatus provided with amovable heater, and more particularly, to an aerosol generatingapparatus in which a heater moves in a direction opposite to anextraction direction of a cigarette before the cigarette is separated toconveniently separate the cigarette and the heater and discharge aresidue to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus along withthe cigarette.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating anaerosol generating material in a cigarette has increased, and thus,research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generatingapparatus has been actively conducted.

Examples of an aerosol generating apparatus include a nicotinevaporizing apparatus for vaporizing a liquid solution containingnicotine and an aerosol generating apparatus for heating a cigarette andgenerating a smoking gas in a fumigation manner.

When an aerosol generating apparatus provided with a heater that heats acigarette by using electricity is used, the cigarette that generates asmoking gas by being heated by the heater may be separated from theaerosol generating apparatus and may be discarded, and then a newcigarette may be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1667124 relates to an aerosolgenerating apparatus that generates a smoking gas by heating acigarette, and describes a structure of a holder that assists anoperation of inserting the cigarette into the aerosol generatingapparatus or an operation of separating the cigarette from the aerosolgenerating apparatus.

When a user uses an aerosol generating apparatus having such astructure, the user inserts a cigarette into a holder extracted from theaerosol generating apparatus to the outside and pushes the holder andthe cigarette into the aerosol generating apparatus for smoking, andafter smoking, pulls the holder out of the aerosol generating apparatusand then removes the cigarette from the holder.

In the aerosol generating apparatus including the holder configured asabove, because the holder simply guides an operation of inserting andseparating the cigarette into and from the holder, a residue generatedfrom the cigarette heated during smoking remains on elements such as theheater and an internal space of the aerosol generating apparatus,thereby making it difficult to keep the aerosol generating apparatusclean.

When the user separates the cigarette from the aerosol generatingapparatus, the user holds the cigarette inserted into the holder inhis/her hand and pulls the cigarette out of the holder to remove thecigarette from the aerosol generating apparatus, and in this case, atobacco component attached to contact surfaces of the cigarette and theheater is not separated and remains on the heater even during separationof the cigarette by the user. The tobacco component generated from thecigarette is attached to the contact surfaces between the cigarette andthe heater, and because the tobacco component attached to the heater iscondensed due to heat of the heater to further increase an adhesiveforce, a degree of cleanliness of the internal space of the aerosolgenerating apparatus and the heater decreases as the time during whichthe aerosol generating apparatus is used increases.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Technical Problem

Embodiments provide an aerosol generating method and apparatus. Also,embodiments provide a computer-readable recording medium having embodiedthereon a program for executing the aerosol generating method in acomputer.

Also, embodiments provide an aerosol generating apparatus forconveniently separating a cigarette.

Also, embodiments provide an aerosol generating apparatus for removing amaterial attached to a heater.

Technical problems to be solved by embodiments are not limited to theabove-described technical problems and there may be other technicalproblems.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol generating apparatus provided with a movable heater accordingto an embodiment includes: a heater that has an end portion into which acigarette is inserted and heats the cigarette by operating by means ofan electrical signal; a support portion supporting the heater to bemovable within a pre-determined range in a longitudinal direction of thecigarette; and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the supportportion, and rotating and transmitting a driving force to the heater tomove the heater in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

The support portion may include: an accommodating portion including anaccommodating space extending in the longitudinal direction of thecigarette, a front opening formed at an end portion of the accommodatingspace to be open to the outside and allowing the cigarette to beinserted thereinto, and a rear opening formed at the other end portionof the receiving space and allowing a front end portion of the heater tobe inserted thereinto; and a linear movement guide located behind theaccommodating portion to surround a rear end portion of the heater andsupporting the heater to be linearly movable in the longitudinaldirection of the cigarette.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include: a straightprotrusion provided on any one of the linear movement guide and theheater; and a linear groove provided in a remaining one of the linearmovement guide and the heater so that the straight protrusion isinserted into the linear groove, the linear groove linearly guiding thestraight protrusion in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

The rotating member may be coupled to an outer surface of the linearmovement guide to be rotatable relative to the linear movement guide,

wherein the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a protrudingportion provided on any one of the rotating member and the heater, and aguide groove provided in a remaining one of the rotating member and theheater so that the protruding portion is inserted into the guide groove,the guide groove extending in a rotation direction of the rotatingmember to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of thecigarette.

The protruding portion may be provided on an outer surface of theheater, the guide groove is provided on an inner surface of the rotatingmember, and the linear movement guide includes a through-hole throughwhich the protruding portion passes and a stopper limiting a movementrange of the protruding portion.

The support portion may further include a base supporting a rear endportion of the linear movement guide and rotatably supporting therotating member.

The support portion may further include an outer case coupled to anouter surface of the accommodating portion and rotatably supporting therotating member along with the base.

The rotating member may include an accommodating space extending in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette, a front opening formed at anend portion of the accommodating space to be open to the outside andinto which the cigarette is inserted, and a rear opening formed at theother end portion of the accommodating space and into which a front endportion of the heater is inserted, and the support portion supports arear end portion of the heater to be linearly movable in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include: a straightprotrusion provided on any one of the support portion and the heater;and a linear groove provided in a remaining one of the support portionand the heater so that the straight protrusion is inserted into thelinear groove, the linear groove guiding the straight protrusion tolinearly move in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include a protrudingportion provided on any one of the rotating member and the heater, and aguide groove provided in a remaining one of the rotating member and theheater so that the protruding portion is inserted into the guide groove,the guide groove extending in a rotation direction of the rotatingmember to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of thecigarette.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include a resistiveprotrusion provided between the rotating member and the support portionin a path in which the rotating member rotates, and applying a resistiveforce to rotation of the rotating member.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include a stopper providedbetween the rotating member and the support portion in a path in whichthe rotating member rotates and limiting a rotation of the rotatingmember.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further include an elastic pressingportion provided between the rotating member and the support portion andpressing the rotating member in one direction from among directions inwhich the rotating member rotates.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment includes: aholder configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; and acradle having an internal space into which the holder is inserted,wherein the holder is inserted into the internal space of the cradle andthen is tilted to generate the aerosol.

A cigarette inserted into a holder according to another embodimentincludes: a tobacco rod including a plurality of tobacco strands; afirst filter segment that is hollow; a cooling structure configured tocool generated aerosol; and a second filter segment.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

In an aerosol generating apparatus provided with a movable heateraccording to the above embodiments, because a heater first moves in adirection opposite to an extraction direction of a cigarette due to therotation of a rotating member before the cigarette is separated and thusan end portion of the heater is easily detached from the cigarette, thecigarette and the heater may be conveniently separated.

Also, because a state in which a residue is attached to the cigarette ismaintained while the heater moves in the direction opposite to theextraction direction of the cigarette, the residue attached to thecigarette may be easily discharged to the outside of the aerosolgenerating apparatus along with the cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus providedwith a movable heater according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state of theaerosol generating apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state inwhich a cigarette is separated from the aerosol generating apparatus ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a transverse-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a transverse-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of an aerosol generatingapparatus according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing various views of an example of aholder.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a cradle.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing various views of an example of acradle.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is insertedinto a cradle.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is tiltedwhile being inserted into a cradle.

FIGS. 15A to 15B are diagrams showing examples in which a holder isinserted into a cradle.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing an example in which a holder and acradle operates.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for describing another example in which a holderoperates.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for describing an example in which a cradleoperates.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which a cigarette is insertedinto a holder.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are block diagrams showing examples of a cigarette.

FIGS. 21A through 21F are views illustrating cooling structures of acigarette.

BEST MODE

The terms used in embodiments are selected from among common terms thatare currently widely used in consideration of their functions in thepresent disclosure, but the terms may be different according to anintention of one of ordinary skill in the art, a precedent, or theadvent of new technology. In addition, in certain cases, a term which isnot commonly used may be selected. In such a case, the meaning of theterm will be described in detail at the corresponding part in thedescription of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based onthe meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word“comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not theexclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”,and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing atleast one function and operation and can be implemented by hardwarecomponents or software components and combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus providedwith a movable heater according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is across-sectional view of the aerosol generating apparatus of FIG. 1.

The aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movable heateraccording to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes aheater 20 into which a cigarette 10 is inserted and which heats thecigarette 10 by operating by means of an electrical signal, a supportportion 30 supporting the heater 20 to be movable, and a rotating member40 rotatably coupled to the support portion 30.

The support portion 30 includes an accommodating portion 31accommodating the cigarette 10, and a linear movement guide 35 locatedbehind the accommodating portion 31 and surrounding a rear end portion20 r of the heater 20.

The accommodating portion 31 of the support portion 30 includes anaccommodating space 31 v extending in a longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10, a front opening 31 f formed at an end portion of theaccommodating space 31 v to be open to the outside and allowing thecigarette 10 to be inserted thereinto, and a rear opening 31 r formed atthe other end portion of the accommodating space 31 v and allowing afront end portion 20 f of the heater 20 to be inserted thereinto.

The cigarette 10 may have a cylindrical shape, and the accommodatingportion 31 has an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter ofthe cigarette 10 and has a hollow cylindrical shape whose inside isempty.

A front end portion of the accommodating portion 31 is open to theoutside through the front opening 31 f, and the linear movement guide 35is connected to a rear end portion of the accommodating portion 31. Thelinear movement guide 35 also has a hollow cylindrical shape whoseinside is empty.

The linear movement guide 35 is located behind the accommodating portion31 to surround the rear end portion 20 r of the heater 20 and supportsthe heater 20 to be linearly movable in the longitudinal direction ofthe cigarette 10.

The accommodating portion 31 and the linear movement guide 35 may beintegrally formed of a metallic material such as aluminum or a plasticmaterial, or may be independently manufactured and then may be coupledto each other.

A base 39 is coupled to a rear end portion 35 e of the linear movementguide 35. The base 39 supports the rear end portion 35 e of the linearmovement guide 35. Also, the base 39 rotatably supports the rotatingmember 40.

The support portion 30 includes an outer case 38 coupled to an outersurface of the accommodating portion 31 and rotatably supporting therotating member 40 along with the base 39. The outer case 38 has ahollow cylindrical shape with an opening 38 i whose front side is openand functioning as a path through which the cigarette 10 is inserted.The outer case 38 may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum ora plastic material.

The outer case 38 includes a ring-shaped protrusion 38 f provided on aninner wall surface of the outer case 38 and extending in acircumferential direction about the center of the outer case 38 alongthe inner wall surface of the outer case 38 to contact the outer surfaceof the accommodating portion 31. The ring-shaped protrusion 38 f of theouter case 38 is inserted into the outer surface of the accommodatingportion 31, so that the outer case 38 is fixed to the accommodatingportion 31.

The cigarette 10 may be fitted around the front end portion 20 f of theheater 20. An electricity supply device 36 is provided on the base 39,and the rear end portion 20 r of the heater 20 and the electricitysupply device 36 are electrically connected by a wiring 70 thattransmits electricity. When electricity of the electricity supply device36 is supplied to the heater 20 in a state where the cigarette 10 isfitted around the front end portion 20 f of the heater 20, the heater 20is heated and thus the cigarette 10 is heated.

The support portion 30 supports the heater 20 to be movable within apre-determined range in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The heater 20 includes a straight protrusion 20 p protruding outwardfrom the rear end portion 20 r and extending in the longitudinaldirection of the cigarette 10, that is, a longitudinal direction of theheater 20. The linear movement guide 35 of the support portion 30surrounding the rear end portion 20 r of the heater 20 includes a lineargroove 201 into which the straight protrusion 20 p is inserted. Thelinear groove 201 guides the straight protrusion 20 p to linearly movein the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

Although the straight protrusion 20 p is provided on the heater 20 andthe linear groove 201 is provided in the linear movement guide 35 in theembodiment, the embodiment is not limited by the configuration. Forexample, the straight protrusion 20 p may be provided on the linearmovement guide 35, and the linear groove 201 may be provided in theheater 20.

The rotating member 40 is rotatably coupled to the support portion 30 torotate about an axis O that is the longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10. When a user holds the rotating member 40 in his/her handand rotates the rotating member 40, the rotating member 40 rotates aboutthe axis O and transmits a driving force to the heater 20 to move theheater 20 in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10. Therotating member 40 may be formed of a material having no electricity andheat conductivity. For example, the rotating member 40 may be formed ofa material such as rubber or plastic, or may be formed of a metalmaterial and then an outer surface of the rotating member 40 which istouched by the user's hands may be coated with a material having no heatand electricity conductivity.

The rotating member 40 may be coupled to an outer surface of the linearmovement guide 35, and may rotate relative to the linear movement guide35. The rotating member 40 has a hollow cylindrical shape whose insideis empty. The rotating member 40 includes a guide groove 47 formed in aninner surface of the rotating member 40 to be inclined with respect tothe longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10 and extending in thecircumferential direction in a rotation direction of the rotating member40.

The heater 20 includes a protruding portion 27 protruding outward fromthe rear end portion 20 r. The linear movement guide 35 has athrough-hole 35 h through which the protruding portion 27 of the heater20 passes toward the inner surface of the rotating member 40 and thatextends in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the protrudingportion 27 of the heater 20 passes through the through-hole 35 h and isinserted into the guide groove 47 of the rotating member 40.

Accordingly, as the rotating member 40 rotates, a rotating force of therotating member 40 is transmitted to the protruding portion 27 insertedinto the guide groove 47 of the rotating member 40. Because the heater20 is restricted by the linear movement guide 35 to move only in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10, while the rotating member 40rotates, the guide groove 47 may push the protruding portion 27 so thatthe heater 20 moves in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The linear movement guide 35 includes a stopper 35 s formed in a portionof the through-hole 35 h to contact the protruding portion 27 andlimiting a movement range of the protruding portion 27. When theprotruding portion 27 reaches the stopper 35 s while the heater 20 movesdue to the rotation of the rotating member 40, the heater 20 may nolonger linearly move.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where the cigarette 10 ismounted on the aerosol generating apparatus. In order for the aerosolgenerating apparatus to perform a tobacco smoke generating function, thecigarette 10 is inserted into the rear opening 31 r of the accommodatingportion 31 as shown in FIG. 2. A total length of the heater 20 is about20 mm, and a length of the front end portion 20 f of the heater 20inserted into the cigarette 10 is about 12 mm. In this state, because arear end portion of the cigarette 10 is inserted into the front endportion 20 f of the heater 20, when electricity is supplied to theheater 20, the heater 20 may heat the cigarette 10 and may generate atobacco smoke.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state of theaerosol generating apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectionalview illustrating an operation state in which a cigarette is separatedfrom the aerosol generating apparatus of FIG. 3.

After the user uses the aerosol generating apparatus, the user has toremove the cigarette 10 from the aerosol generating apparatus. FIGS. 3and 4 sequentially illustrate an operation state in which the cigarette10 is separated from the aerosol generating apparatus.

When the user rotates the rotating member 40 to separate the cigarette10 from the aerosol generating apparatus, the rotating member 40 rotatesabout the center of the support portion 30, that is, the axis O, asshown in FIG. 3, a force due to the rotation of the rotating member 40is transmitted to the protruding portion 27 of the heater 20, and thusthe heater 20 linearly moves in the longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10. The heater 20 linearly moves by about 4 mm.

A tobacco material (or a residue) generated from the cigarette 10 whilethe cigarette 10 is heated by the heater 20 is condensed and attached tocontact surfaces between the heater 20 and the cigarette 10. While therotating member 40 and the heater 20 moves downward as shown in FIG. 3,a rear end portion of the cigarette 10 is supported by a rear endportion of the accommodating portion 31. Accordingly, because thecigarette 10 is maintained inside the accommodating portion 31 while theheater 20 moves downward, the tobacco material attached to the contactsurfaces between the heater 20 and the cigarette 10 is maintained at astate of being attached to a surface of the rear end portion of thecigarette 10.

When the user holds the cigarette 10 in the state of FIG. 3 and extractsthe cigarette 10 to the outside of the accommodating portion 31, thecigarette 10 may be completely separated from the accommodating portion31 of the aerosol generating apparatus as shown in FIG. 4.

In order to mount a new cigarette 10 on the aerosol generatingapparatus, when the rotating member 40 in the state of FIG. 4 is rotatedin the opposite direction, a rotating force of the rotating member 40 istransmitted to the heater 20, the heater 20 linearly moves upward, andthus the heater 20 moves to the position of FIG. 2. When the heater 20moves to the position of FIG. 2, the new cigarette 10 may be mounted onthe accommodating portion 31.

In a conventional aerosol generating apparatus, because a user separatesa cigarette from the conventional aerosol generating apparatus by simplypulling the cigarette from the conventional aerosol generatingapparatus, a tobacco material present between the cigarette and a heateris attached to the heater in many cases.

However, in the aerosol generating apparatus according to theembodiment, before the cigarette 10 is separated from the aerosolgenerating apparatus, the rotating member 40 may be first rotated sothat the heater 20 moves downward to a separation position, that is, aposition far from the cigarette 10 as shown in FIG. 3.

The front end portion 20 f of the heater 20 inserted into the cigarette10 may be easily detached from the cigarette 10 while the heater 20moves in a direction opposite to an extraction direction of thecigarette 10, and in this process, a state where a residue presentbetween the cigarette 10 and the heater 20 is maintained to be attachedto the cigarette 10. Because the heater 20 is first separated from thecigarette 10, and then the user may hold the cigarette 10 and mayseparate the cigarette 10 from the aerosol generating apparatus, aresidue attached to the cigarette 10 may be easily discharged to theoutside of the aerosol generating apparatus along with the cigarette 10.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movable heateraccording to the embodiment of FIG. 5 includes a heater 120 into whichthe cigarette 10 is inserted and that heats the cigarette 10 byoperating by means of an electrical signal, a support portion 130supporting the heater 120 to be movable, and a rotating member 140rotatably coupled to the support portion 130.

The support portion 130 includes an accommodating portion 131accommodating the cigarette 10, and a linear movement guide 139 locatedbehind the accommodating portion 131 and surrounding a rear end portion120 r of the heater 120.

The accommodating portion 131 of the support portion 130 includes anaccommodating space 131 v extending in a longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10, a front opening 131 f formed at an end portion of theaccommodating space 131 v to be open to the outside and allowing thecigarette 10 to be inserted thereinto, and a rear opening 131 r formedat the other end portion of the accommodating space 131 v and allowing afront end portion 120 f of the heater 120 to be inserted thereinto.

The cigarette 10 may have a cylindrical shape, and the accommodatingportion 131 has an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter ofthe cigarette 10 and has a hollow cylindrical shape whose inside isempty.

A front end portion of the accommodating portion 131 is open to theoutside through the front opening 131 f, and the linear movement guide139 is connected to a rear end portion of the accommodating portion 131.

The accommodating portion 131 includes a connection flange 131 s formedon the rear end portion of the accommodating portion 131, and theconnection flange 131 s passes through a circumferential path 140 h ofthe rotating member 140 and is coupled to the linear movement guide 139.Because the circumferential path 140 h of the rotating member 140extends in a circumferential direction to be longer than a length of theconnection flange 131 s in a rotation direction of the rotating member140, the rotating member 140 may rotate relative to the linear movementguide 139 and the accommodating portion 131.

The linear movement guide 139 also has a hollow cylindrical shape whoseinside is empty. The linear movement guide 139 is located behind theaccommodating portion 131 to surround the rear end portion 120 r of theheater 120 and supports the heater 120 to be linearly movable in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The cigarette 10 may be inserted into the front end portion 120 f of theheater 120. The rear end portion 120 r of the heater 120 is electricallyconnected to an electricity supply device by the wiring 70 thattransmits electricity. When electricity is supplied to the heater 120 ina state where the cigarette 10 is inserted into the front end portion120 f of the heater 120, the heater 120 is heated and thus the cigarette10 is heated.

The support portion 130 supports the heater 120 to be movable within apre-determined range in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The heater 120 includes a straight protrusion 120 p protruding outwardfrom the rear end portion 120 r. The linear movement guide 139 of thesupport portion 130 surrounding the rear end portion 120 r of the heater120 includes a linear groove 120 l into which the straight protrusion120 p is inserted and that linearly extends in the longitudinaldirection of the cigarette 10. The linear groove 120 l guides thestraight protrusion 120 p to linearly move in the longitudinal directionof the cigarette 10.

Although the straight protrusion 120 p is provided on the heater 120 andthe linear groove 120 l is provided in the linear movement guide 139 inthe illustrated embodiment, the embodiment is not limited by theconfiguration. For example, the straight protrusion 120 p may beprovided on the linear movement guide 139, and the linear groove 120 lmay be provided in the heater 120.

The linear movement guide 139 includes a stopper 120 t formed in aportion of the linear groove 120 l to contact the straight protrusion120 p and limiting a movement range of the straight protrusion 120 p.When the straight protrusion 120 p reaches the stopper 120 t while theheater 120 moves due to the rotation of the rotating member 140, theheater 120 may no longer linearly move.

The rotating member 140 is rotatably coupled to the support portion 130to rotate about an axis in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette10. When a user holds the rotating member 140 in his/her hand androtates the rotating member 140, the rotating member 140 transmits adriving force to the heater 120 to move the heater 120 in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10. The rotating member 140 maybe formed of a material having no electricity and heat conductivity. Forexample, the rotating member 140 may be formed of a material such asrubber or plastic, or may be formed of a metal material and then anouter surface of the rotating member 140 which is touched by the user'shands may be coated with a material having no heat and electricityconductivity.

The rotating member 140 may be coupled to an outer surface of the linearmovement guide 139, and may rotate relative to the linear movement guide139. The rotating member 140 has a hollow cylindrical shape whose insideis empty. The rotating member 140 includes a protruding portion 147protruding from an inner surface of the rotating member 140.

The heater 120 includes a guide groove 127 formed in an outer surface ofthe rear end portion 120 r to be inclined with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10 and extending in thecircumferential direction. The protruding portion 147 of the rotatingmember 140 is inserted into the guide groove 127 of the heater 120.

Accordingly, as the rotating member 140 rotates, a rotating force of therotating member 140 is transmitted to the guide groove 127 through theprotruding portion 147 of the rotating member 140. Because the heater120 is restricted by the linear movement guide 139 to move only in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10, while the rotating member140 rotates, the protruding portion 147 may push the guide groove 127 sothat the heater 120 moves in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette10.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movable heateraccording to the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes a heater 220 into whichthe cigarette 10 is inserted and that heats the cigarette 10 byoperating by means of an electrical signal, a support portion 230supporting the heater 220 to be movable, and a rotating member 240rotatably coupled to the support portion 230.

The cigarette 10 may have a cylindrical shape, and the rotating member240 has an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of thecigarette 10 and has a hollow cylindrical shape whose inside is empty.

The rotating member 240 includes an accommodating space 241 v extendingin a longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10, a front opening formedat an end portion of the accommodating space 241 v to be open to theoutside and allowing the cigarette 10 to be inserted thereinto, and arear opening 241 r formed at the other end portion of the accommodatingspace 241 v and allowing a front end portion 220 f of the heater 220 tobe inserted thereinto.

The support portion 230 surrounds a rear end portion 220 r of the heater220 and supports the heater 220 to be linearly movable in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The cigarette 10 may be inserted into the front end portion 220 f of theheater 220. The rear end portion 220 r of the heater 220 is electricallyconnected to an electricity supply device by the wiring 70 thattransmits electricity. When electricity is supplied to the heater 220 ina state where the cigarette 10 is inserted into the front end portion220 f of the heater 220, the heater 220 is heated and thus the cigarette10 is heated.

The support portion 230 supports the heater 220 to be movable within apre-determined range in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

The heater 220 includes a straight protrusion 220 p protruding outwardfrom the rear end portion 220 r. The support portion 230 surrounding therear end portion 220 r of the heater 220 includes a linear groove 220 linto which the straight protrusion 220 p is inserted and that linearlyextends in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10. The straightgroove 220 l guides the straight protrusion 220 p to linearly move inthe longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.

Although the straight protrusion 220 p is provided on the heater 220 andthe straight groove 220 l is provided in the support portion 230 in theembodiment, the embodiment is not limited by the configuration. Forexample, the straight protrusion 220 p may be provided on the supportportion 230 and the linear groove 220 l may be provided in the heater220.

The support portion 230 includes a stopper 220 t formed in a portion ofthe linear groove 220 l to contact the straight protrusion 220 p andlimiting a movement range of the straight protrusion 220 p. When thestraight protrusion 220 p reaches the stopper 220 t while the heater 220moves due to the rotation of the rotating member 240, the heater 220 mayno longer linearly move.

The rotating member 2470 has a hollow cylindrical shape whose inside isempty. The rotating member 240 is rotatably coupled to the supportportion 230 to rotate about an axis in the longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10. A rail groove 240 g and a rail 230 p rotatably connectingthe rotating member 240 to the support portion 230 are provided betweenthe rotating member 240 and the support portion 230.

When a user holds the rotating member 240 in his/her hand and rotatesthe rotating member 240, the rotating member 240 rotates about the axisof the cigarette 10 and transmits a driving force to the heater 220 tomove the heater 220 in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10.The rotating member 240 may be formed of a material having noelectricity and heat conductivity. For example, the rotating member 240may be formed of a material such as rubber or plastic, or may be formedof a metal material and then an outer surface of the rotating member 240which is touched by the user's hands may be coated with a materialhaving no heat and electricity conductivity.

The rotating member 240 includes a guide groove 247 formed in an innersurface of the rotating member 240 to be inclined with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette 10 and circumferentiallyextending in a rotation direction of the rotating member 240.

The heater 220 includes a protruding portion 227 protruding outward fromthe rear end portion 220 r. The protruding portion 227 of the heater 220is inserted into the guide groove 247 of the rotating member 240.

Accordingly, as the rotating member 240 rotates, a rotating force of therotating member 240 is transmitted to the protruding portion 227inserted into the guide groove 247 of the rotating member 240. Becausethe heater 220 is restricted by the support portion 230 to move only inthe longitudinal direction of the cigarette 10, while the rotatingmember 240 rotates, the guide groove 247 may push the protruding portion227 so that the heater 220 moves in the longitudinal direction of thecigarette 10.

FIG. 7 is a transverse-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movable heateraccording to the embodiment of FIG. 7 includes resistive protrusions 330g and 330 p provided between a rotating member 340 and a support portion330 and applying a resistive force to the rotation of the rotatingmember 340. The resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 p are located on asurface of the support portion 330 in a path in which the rotatingmember 340 rotates.

The rotating member 340 includes an insertion protrusion 340 p providedon an inner surface of the rotating member 340 facing the supportportion 330 to be inserted between the resistive protrusions 330 g and330 p.

When the rotating member 340 rotates in an A direction relative to thesupport portion 330, the insertion protrusion 340 p of the rotatingmember 340 is inserted between the resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 pof the support portion 330. Accordingly, because the resistiveprotrusions 330 g and 330 p apply a resistive force to the rotatingmember 340 through the insertion protrusion 340 p, a sense of resistanceis applied to a user's hand manipulating the rotating member 340.Accordingly, the user may sense that the rotating member 340 has rotatedto a maximum extent during manipulation of the rotating member 340 andmay stop a rotating operation.

Although the resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 p are provided on thesupport portion 330 and the insertion protrusion 340 p is provided onthe rotating member 340 in the embodiment, the embodiment is not limitedby the configuration. For example, the resistive protrusions 330 g and330 p may be provided on the rotating member 340 and the insertionprotrusion 340 p may be provided on the support portion 330.

Also, the resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 p may be integrally formedwith the support portion 330 on an outer surface of the support portion330, or may be assembled by using a bolt or may be attached by using anadhesive on the outer surface of the support portion 330. Also, shapesand the number of the resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 p may bechanged in various ways.

Also, the resistive protrusions 330 g and 330 p may be formed of amagnetic material having a magnetic force and a metallic materialresponding to the magnetic force may be attached to a portion of aninner surface of the rotating member 340, to apply a resistive forceusing the magnetic force.

FIG. 8 is a transverse-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatusprovided with a movable heater according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movable heateraccording to the embodiment of FIG. 8 includes a stopper 330 t providedbetween the rotating member 340 and the support portion 330 in a path inwhich the rotating member 340 rotates and limiting the rotation of therotating member 340. In FIG. 8, the stopper 330 t is provided on anouter surface of the support portion 330, and a contact protrusion 340 tthat may contact the stopper 330 t is provided on an inner surface ofthe rotating member 340.

Also, an elastic pressing portion 380 for applying an elastic force in aB direction opposite to the A direction in which the rotating member 340rotates is provided between the rotating member 340 and the supportportion 330. The elastic pressing portion 380 may be a spring, and anend of the elastic pressing portion 380 is connected to the contactprotrusion 340 t and the other end of the elastic pressing portion 380is connected to a support protrusion 330 p provided on the supportportion 330. The embodiment is not limited by the configuration of theelastic pressing portion 380, and, for example, the elastic pressingportion 380 may be implemented by using a compression cylinder using aliquid or a gas.

According to the aerosol generating apparatus provided with the movableheater configured as above, when the user rotates the rotating member340, the rotation of the rotating member 340 is limited by the stopper330 t, and thus the user may stop an operation of rotating the rotatingmember 340. In this case, when the user separates a cigarette from theaerosol generating apparatus and then releases the rotating member 340,the rotating member 340 rotates in the B direction due to the elasticpressing portion 380 and returns to its original position.

Embodiments of FIGS. 9 through 21F illustrate a modified aerosolgenerating apparatus and a modified aerosol generating method applicableto the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 through 8.

Reference numerals denoting elements in FIGS. 9 through 21F areindependently used without being associated with reference numerals usedin FIGS. 1 through 8. Accordingly, it should be understood thatreference numerals denoting elements in FIGS. 1 through 8 and referencenumerals denoting elements in FIGS. 9 through 21F are used to denotedifferent elements independent from each other.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of an aerosol generatingapparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, aerosol generating device 1, hereinafter, referredto as “holder”, includes battery 110, control unit 120, and heater 130.The holder 1 also includes an inner space formed by a casing 140. Acigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1.

FIG. 9 shows holder 1 with some elements related to the embodiment.Therefore, It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the holder 1 may further include additional conventional elementsin addition to elements shown in FIG. 9.

When a cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the holder 1 heats theheater 130. The temperature of an aerosol generating material in thecigarette is raised by the heated heater 130, and thus aerosol isgenerated. The generated aerosol is delivered to a user through acigarette filter. However, even when a cigarette is not inserted intothe holder 1, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130.

The casing 140 may be detached from the holder 1. For example, when auser rotates the casing 140 clockwise or counterclockwise, the casing140 may be detached from the holder 1.

The diameter of a hole formed by a terminal end 141 of the casing 140may be smaller than the diameter of a space formed by the casing 140 andthe heater 130. In this case, the hole may serve as a guide for acigarette inserted into the holder 1.

The battery 110 supplies power used for the holder 1 to operate. Forexample, the battery 110 may supply power for heating the heater 130 andsupply power for operating the control unit 120. In addition, thebattery 110 may supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor,and the like installed in the holder 1.

The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, butis not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery110 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanatebattery, etc.

Also, the battery 110 may have a cylindrical shape having a diameter of10 mm and a length of 37 mm, but is not limited thereto. The capacity ofthe battery 110 may be 120 mAh or more, and the battery 110 may be arechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, when thebattery 110 is rechargeable, the charging rate (C-rate) of the battery110 may be 10C and the discharging rate (C-rate) may be 16C to 20C.However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Also, for stableuse, the battery 110 may be manufactured, such that 80% or more of thetotal capacity may be ensured even when charging/discharging areperformed 8000 times.

Here, it may be determined whether the battery 110 is fully charged orcompletely discharged based on a level of power stored in the battery110 as compared to the entire capacity of the battery 110. For example,when power stored in the battery 110 is equal to or more than 95% of thetotal capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is fullycharged. Furthermore, when power stored in the battery 110 is 10% orless of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 iscompletely discharged. However, the criteria for determining whether thebattery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged are not limited tothe above examples.

The heater 130 is heated by power supplied from the battery 110. When acigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is locatedinside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater 130 may raise thetemperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The shape of the heater 130 may be a combination of a cylinderical shapeand a conical shape. For example, the heater 130 may have a diameter of2 mm, a length of 23 mm, and a cylindrical shape. Also, end 131 ofheater 130 may be processed to have an acute angle edge. But, theembodiments are not limited to these features. In other words, theheater 130 may have any shape as long as the heater 130 may be insertedinto the cigarette. In addition, only a portion of the heater 130 may beheated. For example, if the heater 130 has a length of 23 mm, only apart of the heater 130, 12 mm distanced from the end 131, is heated,while other part of the heater 130 is not heated.

The heater 130 may be an electrical resistive heater. For example, theheater 130 includes an electrically conductive track, and the heater 130may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductivetrack.

For stable use, the heater 130 may be supplied with power according tothe specifications of 3.2 V, 2.4 A, and 8 W, but is not limited thereto.For example, when power is supplied to the heater 130, the surfacetemperature of the heater 130 may rise to 400° C. or higher. The surfacetemperature of the heater 130 may rise to about 350° C. before 15seconds after the power supply to the heater 130 starts.

The holder 1 may have a special temperature sensor. Alternatively, theholder 1 may not be provided with a temperature sensing sensor, and theheater 130 may serve as a temperature sensing sensor. For example, theheater 130 may further include a second electrically conductive trackfor sensing temperature in addition to a first electrically conductivetrack for sensing heating temperature.

For example, when a voltage applied to the second electricallyconductive track and a current flowing through the second electricallyconductive track are measured, a resistance R may be determined. At thistime, a temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may bedetermined by Equation 1 below.

R=R ₀{1+α(T−T ₀)}  [Equation 1]

In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the secondelectrically conductive track, R0 denotes a resistance value at atemperature T0 (e.g., 0° C.), and α denotes a resistance temperaturecoefficicent of the second electrically conductive track. Sinceconductive materials (e.g., metals) have inherent resistance temperaturecoefficients, a may be determined in advance according to a conductivematerial constituting the second electrically conductive track.Therefore, when the resistance R of the second electrically conductivetrack is determined, the temperature T of the second electricallyconductive track may be calculated according to Equation 1.

The heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track (afirst electrically conductive track and a second electrically conductivetrack). For example, the heater 130 may include, but is not limited to,two first electrically conductive tracks and one or two secondelectrically conductive tracks.

An electrically conductive track includes an electrical resistivematerial. For example, an electrically conductive track may include ametal. In another example, an electrically conductive track may includean electrically conductive ceramic material, a carbon, a metal alloy, ora composite of a ceramic material and a metal.

In addition, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductivetrack, which serves as temperature sensing sensors, and a temperaturesensing sensor.

The control unit 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1.Specifically, the control unit 120 controls not only operations of thebattery 110 and the heater 130, but also operations of other componentsincluded in the holder 1. The control unit 120 may also check the statusof each of the components of the holder 1 and determine whether theholder 1 is in an operable state.

The control unit 120 includes at least one processor. A processor may beimplemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may beimplemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and amemory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. Itwill be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentdisclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

For example, the control unit 120 may control the operation of theheater 130. The control unit 120 may control an amount of power suppliedto the heater 130 and a time for supplying the power, such that theheater 130 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained ata proper temperature. The control unit 120 may also check the status ofthe battery 110 (e.g., the remaining amount of the battery 110) andgenerate a notification signal as occasions demand.

Also, the control unit 120 may check the presence or absence of a user'spuff, check the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs.Also, the control unit 120 may continuously check the time during whichthe holder 1 is operating. The control unit 120 may also check whether acradle 2 to be described below is coupled with the holder 1 and controlthe operation of the holder 1 based on whether the cradle 2 is coupledwith or separated from and the holder 1.

Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general-purpose componentsother than the battery 110, the control unit 120, and the heater 130.

For example, the holder 1 may include a display capable of outputtingvisual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. Forexample, when a display is included in the holder 1, the control unit120 may provide a user information about the state of the holder 1(e.g., availability of the holder, etc.), information about the heater130 (e.g., start of preheating, progress of preheating, completion ofpreheating, etc.), information about the battery 110 (e.g., remainingpower of the battery 110, availability, etc.), information aboutresetting of the holder 1 (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, resetcompletion, etc.), information about cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g.,cleaning timing, cleaning progress, cleaning completion, etc.),information about charging of the holder 1 (e.g., need of charging,charging progress, charging completed, etc.), information about puff(e.g., the number of puffs, notification of expected completion ofpuffs, etc.), or information about safety (e.g., time of use, etc.) viathe display. In another example, when a motor is included in the holder1, the control unit 120 may transmit the above-described information toa user by generating a vibration signal by using the motor.

The holder 1 may also include a terminal coupled with at least one inputdevice (e.g., a button) and/or the cradle 2 through which a user maycontrol the function of the holder 1. For example, a user may performvarious functions by using the input device of the holder 1. Byadjusting the number of times a user presses the input device (e.g.,once, twice, etc.) or the time during which the input device is beingpressed (e.g., 0.1 second, 0.2 second, etc.), a desired function fromamong a plurality of functions of the holder 1 may be executed. As auser manipulates the input device, the holder 1 may perform a functionof preheating the heater 130, a function of regulating the temperatureof the heater 130, a function of cleaning the space in which a cigaretteis inserted, a function of checking whether the battery 110 is in anoperable state, a function of displaying the remaining power (availablepower) of the battery 110, a function of resetting the holder 1, etc.However, the functions of the holder 1 are not limited to the examplesdescribed above.

The holder 1 may also include a puff detecting sensor, a temperaturesensing sensor, and/or a cigarette insertion detecting sensor. Forexample, the puff detecting sensor may be implemented by a conventionalpressure sensor, and cigarette insertion detecting sensor may beimplemented by a general capacitance sensor or electric resistivesensor. Also, the holder 1 may be fabricated to have a structure inwhich the outside air may flow in/out even in the state where thecigarette is inserted.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing various views of an example of aholder.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of holder 1 seen from a firstdirection. As shown in FIG. 10A, holder 1 may be fabricated to have acylindrical shape, but not limited thereto. The casing 140 of the holder1 may be separated by an action of a user and a cigarette may beinserted into an terminal end 141 of the casing 140. The holder 1 mayalso include a button 150 for a user to control the holder 1 and adisplay 160 for outputting an image.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing other example of holder 1 seen from asecond direction. The holder 1 may include a terminal 170 coupled withthe cradle 2. As the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with aterminal 260 of the cradle 2, the battery 110 of the holder 1 may becharged by power supplied by a battery 210 of the cradle 2. Also, theholder 1 may be operated by power supplied from the battery 210 of thecradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260 and acommunication (transmission/reception of signals) may be performedbetween the holder 1 and the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and theterminal 260. For example, the terminal 170 may include four micro pins,but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a cradle.

In FIG. 11, the cradle 2 includes a battery 210 and a control unit 220.The cradle 2 also includes an inner space 230 into which the holder 1may be inserted. For example, the inner space 230 may be formed on oneside of the cradle 2. Therefore, the holder 1 may be inserted and fixedin the cradle 2 even when the cradle 2 does not include a separate lid.

FIG. 11 shows the cradle 2 having some elements related to theembodiments.

Therefore, It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the cradle 2 may further include additional conventional elementsin addition to the elements shown in FIG. 11.

The battery 210 provides power used to operate the cradle 2. Inaddition, the battery 210 may supply power for charging the battery 110of the holder 1. For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into thecradle 2 and the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with theterminal 260 of the cradle 2, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 may supplypower to the battery 110 of the holder 1.

Also, when the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2, the battery 210may supply power used for the holder 1 to operate. For example, when theterminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with the terminal 260 of thecradle 2, the holder 1 may operate by using power supplied by thebattery 210 of the cradle 2 regardless of whether the battery 110 of theholder 1 is discharged or not.

The examples of type of battery 210 may be the same as the battery 110shown in FIG. 9. The battery 210 may have capacity bigger than thecapacity of battery 110. For example, the battery may have capacity over3000 mAh. But, the capacity of the battery 210 should not be limited tothe above example.

The control unit 220 generally controls the overall operation of thecradle 2. The control unit 220 may control the overall operation of allthe configurations of the cradle 2. The control unit 220 may alsodetermine whether the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2 and controlthe operation of the cradle 2 according to coupling or separation of thecradle 2 and the holder 1.

For example, when the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2, the controlunit 220 may supply power of the battery 210 to the holder 1, therebycharging the battery 110 or heating the heater 130. Therefore, even whenremaining power of the battery 110 is low, a user may continuously smokeby coupling the holder 1 with the cradle 2.

The control unit 120 includes at least one processor. A processor may beimplemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may beimplemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and amemory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. Itwill be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentdisclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general-purpose componentsother than the battery 210 and the control unit 220. For example, cradle2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. Forexample, when the cradle 2 includes a display, the control unit 220generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby informing auser information regarding the battery 210 (e.g., the remaining power ofthe battery 210, availability of the battery 210, etc.), informationregarding resetting of the cradle 2 (e.g., reset timing, reset progress,reset completion, etc.), information regarding cleaining of the holder 1(e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaining progress,cleaining completion, etc.), information regarding charging of thecradle 2 (e.g., charging necessity, charging progress, chargingcompletion, etc.).

The cradle 2 may also include at least one input device (e.g., a button)for a user to control the function of the cradle 2, a terminal 260 to becoupled with the holder 1, and/or an interface for charging the battery210 (e.g., an USB port, etc.).

For example, a user may perform various functions by using the inputdevice of the cradle 2. By controlling the number of times that a userpresses the input device or a period of time for which the input deviceis pressed, a desired function from among the plurality of functions ofthe cradle 2 may be executed. As a user manipulates the input device,the cradle 2 may perform a function of preheating the heater 130, afunction of regulating the temperature of the heater 130, a function ofcleaning the space in which a cigarette is inserted, a function ofchecking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function ofdisplaying the remaining power (available power) of the battery 210 ofthe cradle 2, a function of resetting the cradle 2, etc. However, thefunctions of the cradle 2 are not limited to the examples describedabove.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing various views of an example of acradle.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of the cradle 2 seen from afirst direction. The inner space 230 into which the holder 1 may beinserted may be formed on one side of the cradle 2. Also, the holder 1may be inserted and fixed in the cradle 2 even when the cradle 2 doesnot include a separate fixing unit like a lid. The cradle 2 may alsoinclude a button 240 for a user to control the cradle 2 and a display250 for outputting an image.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing other example of the cradle 2 seen from asecond direction. The cradle 2 may include a terminal 260 to be coupledwith the inserted holder 1. The battery 110 of the holder 1 may becharged by power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2 as theterminal 260 is coupled with the terminal 170 of the holder 1. Also, theholder 1 may be operated by power supplied from the battery 210 of thecradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260 andtransmission/reception of signals may be performed between the holder 1and the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260. Forexample, the terminal 260 may include four micro pins, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto.

As above explained along with FIGS. 12A and 12B, holder 1 may beinserted into internal space 230. The holder 1 may be completelyinserted into the cradle 2 or may be tilted while being inserted intothe cradle 2. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 13 to 15B, examples ofinserting holder 1 into cradle 2 will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is insertedinto a cradle.

FIG. 13 shows an example where the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle2. Since the space 230 into which the holder 1 is to be inserted ispresent on one side surface of the cradle 2, the inserted holder 1 maynot be exposed to the outside by the other side surfaces of the cradle2. Therefore, the cradle 2 may not include another component (e.g., alid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

The cradle 2 may include at least one attaching member 271 and/or 272 toincrease attachment strength with the holder 1. Also, at least oneattaching member 181 may be included in the holder 1 as well. Here,attaching members 181, 271, and 272 may be magnets, but are not limitedthereto. In FIG. 13, for a purpose of a simple explanation, it is shownthat the holder 1 includes only one attaching member 181 and the cradle2 includes two the attaching members 271 and 272. But, the number of theattaching members 181, 271 and 272 are not limited.

The holder 1 may include the attaching member 181 at a first positionand the cradle 2 may include the attaching members 271 and 272 at asecond position and a third position, respectively. In this case, thefirst position and the third position may be positions facing each otherwhen the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

Since the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 are included in the holder1 and the cradle 2, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be attached toeach other more strongly even when the holder 1 is inserted into oneside surface of the cradle 2. In other words, as the holder 1 and thecradle 2 further include the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 inaddition to the terminals 170 and 260, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 maybe attached to each other more strongly. Therefore, even when there isno separate component (e.g., a lid) in the cradle 2, the inserted holder1 may not be easily separated from the cradle 2.

Also, if it is determined that the holder 2 is fully inserted into thecradle 2 through the terminals 170, 260 and/or the attaching members 271and 272, the control unit 220 may charge the battery 110 of the holder 1using electrical power of the battery 210.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is tiltedwhile being inserted into a cradle.

FIG. 14 shows that the holder 1 is tilted inside the cradle 2. Here, theterm ‘tilting’ indicates that the holder 1 is inclined at a certainangle in a state while the holder 1 is being inserted into the cradle 2.

If the holder 1 is fully tilted inside the cradle 2 as shown in FIG. 13,the user may not smoke. In other words, once the holder 1 is completelyinserted into the cradle 2, a cigarette may not be inserted into theholder 1. Therefore, when the holder 1 is completely inserted into thecradle 2, a user may not smoke.

If the holder 1 is tilted as shown in FIG. 14, end 141 of the holder 1is exposed to outside. Therefore, the user may insert a cigarette intothe terminal end 141 and smoke generated aerosol. A sufficient tiltingangle θ may be secured to prevent a cigerette from being bent or damagedwhen the cigarette is inserted into the terminal end 141 of the holder1. For example, the holder 1 may be tilted so that a whole part ofcigarette insertion opening included in the end 141 may be exposed tothe outside. For example, tilting angle θ may range between 0 to 180degrees, preferably between 10 degrees and 90 degrees. More preferably,tilting angle θ may range between 10 to 20 degrees, between 10 to 30degrees, between 10 to 40 degrees, between 10 to 50 degrees, or between10 to 60 degrees.

Also, even in the state that the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal 170 ofthe holder and the terminal 260 of the cradle 2 are coupled to eachother. Therefore, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may be heated by powersupplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2. Therefore, the holder 1 maygenerate aerosol by using the battery 210 of the cradle 2 even when theremaining power of the battery 110 of the holder 1 is low or the battery110 of the holder 1 is completely discharged.

FIG. 14 shows an example where the holder includes one attaching member182 and the cradle 2 includes two attaching member 273, 274. Forexample, each position of the attaching members 182, 273, 274 is asshown in FIG. 13. Assuming that the attaching members 182, 273, and 274are magnets, the magnetic strength of the attaching member 274 may begreater than the magnetic strength of the attaching member 273.Therefore, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle2 due to the attaching member 182 and the attaching member 274 even whenthe holder 1 is tilted.

Also, when it is determined that the holder 1 titled through theterminals 170 and 260 and/or the attaching members 181, 271, and 272,the control unit 220 may heat the heater 130 of the holder 1 or chargethe battery 110 by using power of the battery 210.

FIGS. 15A to 15B are diagrams showing examples in which a holder isinserted into a cradle.

FIG. 15A shows an example where the holder 1 is fully inserted into thecradle 2. The cradle 2 may be fabricated to provide the sufficient innerspace 230 of the cradle 2 to minimize the contact of a user with theholder 1 when the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2.When the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2, the controlunit 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1, such thatthe battery 110 of the holder 1 is charged.

FIG. 15B shows other example where the holder 1 is tilted while in thestate of being inserted into the cradle 2. When the holder 1 is tilted,the control unit 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1,such that the battery 110 of the holder 1 is charged or the heater 130of the holder 1 is heated.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing an example in which a holder and acradle operate.

A method for generating aerosols shown in FIG. 16 includes operationsthat are performed in a time-series manner by the holder 1 shown in FIG.9 or the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, it will be understoodthat the descriptions given above with respect to the holder 1 shown inFIG. 9 and the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 11 also apply to the method ofFIG. 16, even when the descriptions are omitted below.

In operation 810, the holder 1 determines whether it is inserted in thecradle 2. For example, the control unit 120 may determine whether theholder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 based on whether the terminals170 and 260 of the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are connected to each otherand/or whether the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 are operating.

When the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2, the method proceeds tooperation 820. When the holder 1 is separated from the cradle 2, themethod proceeds to operation 830.

In operation 820, the cradle 2 determines whether the holder 1 istilted. For example, the control unit 220 may determine whether theholder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 based on whether the terminals170 and 260 of the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are connected to each otherand/or whether attaching members 182, 273, and 274 are operating.

Although it is described that the cradle 2 determines whether the holder1 is tilted in operation 820, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. In other words, the control unit 120 of the holder 1 maydetermine whether the holder 1 is tilted.

When the holder 1 is tilted, the method proceeds to operation 840. Whenthe holder 1 is not tilted (i.e., the holder 1 is completely insertedinto the cradle 2), the method proceeds to operation 870.

In operation 830, the holder 1 determines whether conditions of usingthe holder 1 are satisfied. For example, the control unit 120 maydetermine whether the conditions for using the holder 1 are satisfied bychecking whether the remaining power of the battery 110 and whetherother components of the holder 1 may be normally operated.

When the conditions for using the holder 1 are satisfied, the methodproceeds to operation 840. Otherwise, the method is terminated.

In operation 840, the holder 1 informs a user that the holder 1 is readyto be used. For example, the control unit 120 may output an imageindicating that the holder 1 is ready to be used on the display of theholder 1 or may control the motor of the holder 1 to generate avibration signal.

In operation 850, the heater 130 is heated. For example, when the holder1 is separated from the cradle 2, the heater 130 may be heated by powerof the battery 110 of the holder 1. In another example, when the holder1 is tilted, the heater 130 may be heated by power of the battery 210 ofthe cradle 2.

The control unit 120 of the holder 1 or the control unit 220 of thecradle 2 may check the temperature of the heater 130 in real time andcontrol an amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and a time forsupplying the power to the heater 130. For example, the control unit 120or 220 may check the temperature of the heater 130 in real time througha temperature sensor included in the holder 1 or an electricallyconductive track of the heater 130.

In operation 860, the holder 1 performs an aerosol generation mechanism.For example, the control unit 120, 220 may check the temperature of theheater 130, which changes as a user performs puffs, and adjust an amountof power supplied to the heater 130 or stop supplying power to theheater 130. Also, the control unit 120 or 220 may count the number ofpuffs of the user and output information indicating that the holder 1needs to be cleaned when the number of puffs reaches a certain number oftimes (e.g., 1500).

In operation 870, the cradle 2 performs charging of the holder 1. Forexample, the control unit 220 may charge the holder 1 by supplying powerof the battery 210 of the cradle 2 to the battery 110 of the holder 1.

Meanwhile, the control unit 120 or 220 may stop the operation of theholder 1 according to the number of puffs of the user or the operationtime of the holder 1. Hereinafter, an example in which the control unit120 or 220 stops the operation of the holder 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for describing another example in which a holderoperates.

A method for generating aerosols shown in FIG. 17 includes operationsthat are performed in a time-series manner by the holder 1 shown in FIG.9 and the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, it will be understoodthat the descriptions given above with respect to the holder 1 shown inFIG. 9 or the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 11 also apply to the method of FIG.17, even when the descriptions are omitted below.

In operation 910, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether a userpuffed. For example, the control unit 120 or 220 may determine whetherthe user puffed through the puff detecting sensor included in the holder1.

In operation 920, aerosol is generated according to the puff of theuser. The control unit 120 or 220 may adjust power supplied to theheater 130 according to the puff of the user and the temperature of theheater 130, as described above with reference to FIG. 16. Also, thecontrol unit 120 or 220 counts the number of puffs of the user.

In operation 930, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether thenumber of puffs of the user is equal to or greater than a puff limitnumber. For example, assuming that the puff limit number is set to 14,the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether the number of countedpuffs is 14 or more.

On the other hand, when the number of puffs of the user is close to thepuff limit number (e.g., when the number of puffs of the user is 12),the control unit 120 or 220 may output a warning signal through adisplay or a vibration motor.

When the number of puffs of the user is equal to or greater than thepuff limit number, the method proceeds to operation 950. When the numberof puffs of the user is less than the puff limit number, the methodproceeds to operation 940.

In operation 940, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether theoperation time of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than an operationlimit time. Here, the operation time of the holder 1 refers toaccumulated time from a time point at which the holder 1 started itsoperation to a current time point. For example, assuming that theoperation limit time is set to 10 minutes, the control unit 120 or 220determines whether the holder 1 is operating for 10 minutes or longer.

On the other hand, when the operation time of the holder 1 is close tothe operation limit time (e.g., when the holder 1 is operating for 8minutes), the control unit 120 or 220 may output a warning signalthrough a display or a vibration motor.

When the holder 1 is operating for the operation limit time or longer,the method proceeds to operation 950. When the operation time of theholder 1 is less than the operation limit time, the method proceeds tooperation 920.

In operation 950, the control unit 120 or 220 forcibly terminates theoperation of the holder 1. In other words, the control unit 120 or 220terminates the aerosol generation mechanism of the holder 1. Forexample, the control unit 120 or 220 may forcibly terminate theoperation of the holder 1 by interrupting the power supplied to theheater 130.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for describing an example in which a cradleoperates.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 18 includes operations that are performed ina time-series manner by the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, itwill be understood that the descriptions given above with respect to thecradle 2 shown in FIG. 11 also apply to the method of FIG. 18, even whenthe descriptions are omitted below.

Although not shown in FIG. 18, the operation of the cradle 2 to bedescribed below may be performed regardless of whether the holder 1 isinserted into the cradle 2.

In operation 1010, the control unit 220 of the cradle 2 determineswhether the button 240 is pressed. When the button 240 is pressed, themethod proceeds to operation 1020. When the button 240 is not pressed,the method proceeds to operation 1030.

In operation 1020, the cradle 2 indicates the status of the battery 210.For example, the control unit 220 may output information regarding thecurrent state of the battery 210 (e.g., remaining power, etc.) on thedisplay 250.

In operation 1030, the control unit 220 of the cradle 2 determineswhether a cable is connected to the cradle 2. For example, the controlunit 220 determines whether a cable is connected to an interface (e.g.,a USB port, etc.) included in the cradle 2. When a cable is connected tothe cradle 2, the method proceeds to operation 1040. Otherwise, themethod is terminated.

In operation 1040, the cradle 2 performs a charging operation. Forexample, the cradle 2 charges the battery 210 by using power suppliedthrough a connected cable.

As described above with reference to FIG. 9, a cigarette may be insertedinto the holder 1. The cigarette includes an aerosol generating materialand aerosol is generated by the heated heater 130.

Hereinafter, an example of a cigarette that may be inserted into theholder 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21F.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which a cigarette is insertedinto a holder.

Referring to FIG. 19, the cigarette 3 may be inserted into the holder 1through the terminal end 141 of the casing 140. When the cigarette 3 isinserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside thecigarette 3. Therefore, the heated heater 130 heats the aerosolgenerating material of the cigarette 3, thereby generating aerosol.

The cigarette 3 may be similar to a typical burning cigarette. Forexample, the cigarette 3 may include a first portion 310 containing anaerosol generating material and a second portion 320 including a filterand the like. Meanwhile, the cigarette 3 according to one embodiment mayalso include an aerosol generating material in the second portion 320.For example, an aerosol generating material in the form of granules orcapsules may be inserted into the second portion 320.

The entire first portion 310 may be inserted into the holder 1 and thesecond portion 320 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only aportion of the first portion 310 may be inserted into the holder 1 orthe entire first portion 310 and a portion the second portion 320 may beinserted into the holder 1.

A user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second portion 320 byhis/her lips. At this time, the aerosol is mixed with the outside airand is delivered to a user's mouth. As shown in FIG. 19, the outside airmay be introduced (1110) through at least one hole formed in a surfaceof the cigarette 3, or introduced (1120) through at least one airpassage formed in the holder 1. For example, the opening and closing ofthe air passage formed in the holder 1 may be adjusted by a user.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are block diagrams showing examples of a cigarette.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the cigarette 3 includes a tobacco rod310, a first filter segment 321, a cooling structure 322, and a secondfilter segment 323. The first portion 310 described above with referenceto FIG. 19 includes the tobacco rod 310 and the second portion 320includes the first filter segment 321, the cooling structure 322, andthe second filter segment 323.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the cigarette 3 shown in FIG.20B further includes a fourth wrapper 334 compared to the cigarette 3shown in FIG. 20A.

But, the features of cigarette 3 shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B are exampleswith some elements omitted. For example, the cigarette 3 may not includeone or more of the first filter segment 321, the cooling structure 322,and the second filter segment 323.

The tobacco rod 310 includes an aerosol generating material. Forexample, the aerosol generating material may include at least one ofglycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleylalcohol. The tobacco rod 310 may have a length ranged between 7 mm to 15mm, preferably about 12 mm. Also, the tobacco rod 310 may have adiameter ranged between 7 mm to 9 mm, preferably about 7.9 mm. Thelength and diameter of tobacco rod 310 are not limited to the aboverange.

Also, the tobacco rod 310 may include other additive materials like aflavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or acetate compound. For example,the flavoring agent may include licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup,isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek,cascara, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil,vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, mint oil, cinnamon, keragene, cognac,jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cinnamon, ylang ylang, salvia, spearmint,ginger, coriander, coffee, etc. In addition, the wetting agent mayinclude glycerin or propylene glycol.

For example, the tobacco rod 310 may be filled with cut tobacco leaves.Here, cut tobacco leaves may be formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet.

For a large wide tobacco sheet to be filled within the tobacco rod 310having a narrow space, a special operation for facilitating folding ofthe tobacco sheet is further needed. Therefore, it is easier to fill thetobacco rod 310 with cut tobacco leaves compared to filling the tobaccorod 310 with a tobacco sheet, and thus the productivity and theefficiency of the process for producing the tobacco rod 310 may beimproved.

In another example, the tobacco rod 310 may be filled with a pluralityof cigarette strands formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. Forexample, the tobacco rod 310 may be formed by combining a plurality oftobacco strands in the same direction (parallel to one another) orrandomly. One tobacco strand may be formed into a cuboid shape with 1 mmwidth, 12 mm depth, and 0.1 mm height, but not limited thereto.

The tobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco strands may generate much moreaerosol than tobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco sheet. By filling thetobacco rod with tobacco strands, wider surface area can be securedcompared to using tobacco sheet. A wider surface area indicates that anaerosol generating material has a greater chance of contacting theoutside air. Therefore, when the tobacco rod 310 is filled with tobaccostrands, the tobacco rod can generate much more aerosol compared to whenbeing filled with tobacco sheet.

Also, when the cigarette 3 is being disengaged from the holder 1, thetobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco strands can be easily pulled outcompared to when being filled with tobacco sheet. Compared to tobaccosheet, the tobacco strands experience weaker friction when in contactwith the heater 130. Therefore, when the tobacco rod 310 is filled withtobacco strands, the tobacco rod can be more easily removed from theholder 1 compared to when being filled with tobacco sheet.

The tobacco sheet can be formed by pulverizing raw tobacco material intoa slurry and drying the slurry. For example, the slurry may contain 15%to 30% aerosol generating material. The raw tobacco material may betobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, and/or fine tobacco powdersformed during treatment of tobacco. The tobacco sheet may also includeother additives like wood cellulose fibers.

The first filter segment 321 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Forexample, the first filter segment 321 may have a tubular structureincluding a hollowness therein. The length of the first filter segment321 may be any suitable length within the range from 7 mm to 15 mm,preferably about 7 mm, but is not limited thereto. The length of thefirst filter segment 321 may be smaller than about 7 mm, but the firstfilter segment preferably should have enough length so that function ofat least one of components (such as, cooling element, capsule, acetatefilter) may not be damaged. The length of the first filter segment 321is not limited to the above ranges. Meanwhile, the length of the firstfilter segment 321 may extended so that whole length of the cigarette 3can be adjusted based on the length of the first filter segment 321.

The second filter segment 323 may also be a cellulose acetate filter.For example, the second filter segment 323 may be fabricated as a recessfilter with a hollow cavity, but is not limited thereto. The length ofthe second filter segment 323 may be within the range from 5 mm to 15mm, preferably about 12 mm. The length of the second filter segment 323is not limited to above range.

Also, the second filter segment 323 may include at least one capsule324. Here, the capsule 324 may have a structure in which a contentliquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. Forexample, the capsule 324 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape. Thecapsule 324 may have a diameter equal to or greater than 2 mm,preferably ranged between 2-4 mm.

A material forming a surface of the capsule 324 may be starch and/orgellant. For example, the gallant may include gelatin, or a gum. Also, agelling agent may be further used as a material for forming the film ofthe capsule 324. Here, gelling agent may include, for example, a calciumchloride. Furthermore, a plasticizer may be further used as a materialfor forming the film of the capsule 324. As the plasticizer, glycerinand/or sorbitol may be used. Furthermore, a coloring agent may befurther used as a material for forming the film of the capsule 324.

For example, as a flavoring material included in the content liquid ofthe capsule 324, menthol, plant essential oil, and the like may be used.As a solvent of the flavoring material included in the content liquid,for example, a medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) may be used.Also, the content liquid may include other additives like a figment, anemulsifying agent, a thickening agent, etc.

The cooling structure 322 cools aerosol generated as the heater 130heats the tobacco rod 310. Therefore, a user may inhale aerosol cooledto a suitable temperature. The length of the cooling structure 322 maybe ranged between about 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 14 mm. Thelength of the cooling structure 322 is not limited to the above range.

For example, the cooling structure 322 may be formed by polylactic acid.The cooling structure 322 may be fabricated into various shapes in orderto increase a surface area per unit area, namely, a surface areacontacting with aerosol. Hereinafter, Various examples of the coolingstructure 322 will be explained referring to FIGS. 21A to 21F.

The tobacco rod 310 and the first filter segment 321 are packed by afirst wrapper 331. For example, the first wrapper 331 may be made of anoil-resistant paper sheet.

The cooling structure 322 and the second filter segment 323 are packedby a second wrapper 332. Also, a whole part of cigarette 3 is packagedagain by a third wrapper 333. For example, the second wrapper 332 andthe third wrapper 333 may be fabricated using a general filter wrappingpaper. Alternatively, the second wrapper 332 may be a hard wrappingpaper or PLA scented paper. Also, the second wrapper 332 may package apart of the second filter segment 323, and additionally package otherpart of the second filter segment 323 and the cooling structure 322.

Referring to FIG. 20B, the cigarette 3 may include a fourth wrapper 334.At least one of the cigarette rod 310, the first filter segment 321 maybe packaged by the fourth wrapper 334. In other words, only thecigarette rod 310 may be packaged by the fourth wrapper 334, or thecigarette rod 310 and the first filter segment 321 are packaged togetherby the fourth wrapper 334. For example, the fourth wrapper 334 may bemade of wrapping paper.

The fourth wrapper 334 may be formed by depositing or coating apredetermined material on one surface or both surfaces of wrappingpaper. Here, an example of the predetermined material may be, but is notlimited to, silicon. Silicon exhibits characteristics like heatresistance with little change due to the temperature, oxidationresistance, resistances to various chemicals, water repellency,electrical insulation, etc. However, any material other than silicon maybe applied to (or coated on) the fourth wrapper 334.

Meanwhile, although FIG. 20B shows that the cigarette 3 includes boththe first wrapper 331 and the fourth wrapper 334, but the embodiment isnot limited thereto. In other words, the cigarette 3 may include onlyone of the first wrapper 331 and the fourth wrapper 334.

The fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the cigarette 3 from being burned.For example, when the tobacco rod 310 is heated by the heater 130, thereis a possibility that the cigarette 3 is burned. In detail, when thetemperature is raised to a temperature above the ignition point of anyone of materials included in the tobacco rod 310, the cigarette 3 may beburned. Even in this case, since the fourth wrapper 334 includes anon-combustible material, the burning of the cigarette 3 may beprevented.

Furthermore, the fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the holder 1 from beingcontaminated by substances formed by the cigarette 3. Through puffs of auser, liquid substances may be formed in the cigarette 3. For example,as the aerosol formed by the cigarette 3 is cooled by the outside air,liquid materials (e.g., moisture, etc.) may be formed. As the fourthwrapper 334 wraps the tobacco rod 310 and/or the first filter segment321, the liquid materials formed in the cigarette 3 may be preventedfrom being leaked out of the cigarette 3. Accordingly, the casing 140 ofthe holder 1 and the like may be prevented from being contaminated bythe liquid materials formed by the cigarette 3.

FIGS. 21A through 21F are views illustrating cooling structures of acigarette.

For example, the cooling structure of any of FIGS. 21A through 21F maybe manufactured by using fibers made of pure polylactic acid (PLA).

For example, when the cooling structure is manufactured by charging afilm (sheet), the film (sheet) may be crushed by an external impact. Inthis case, an aerosol cooling effect of the cooling structure isreduced.

Alternatively, when the cooling structure is manufactured by usingextrusion molding or the like, process efficiency is reduced due to theaddition of processes such as cutting of a structure. Also, there arelimitations in manufacturing the cooling structure in various shapes.

As the cooling structure according to an embodiment is manufactured byusing polylactic acid fibers (e.g., weaving), the risk that the coolingstructure is deformed or loses its function by an external impact may bereduced. Also, the cooling structure having various shapes may bemanufactured by changing a method of combining fibers.

Also, when the cooling structure is manufactured by using fibers, asurface area contacting aerosol is increased. Accordingly, an aerosolcooling effect of the cooling structure may be further improved.

Referring to FIG. 21A, a cooling structure 1310 may have a cylindricalshape, and may be formed so that at least one air passage 1311 is formedin a cross-section of the cooling structure 1310.

Referring to FIG. 21B, a cooling structure 1320 may include a pluralityof fibers that are tangled with one another. In this case, aerosol mayflow between the fibers, and a vortex may be formed according to a typeof the cooling structure 1320. The vortex increases a contact area ofthe aerosol in the cooling structure 1320 and increases a time duringwhich the aerosol stays in the cooling structure 1320. Accordingly,heated aerosol may be effectively cooled.

Referring to FIG. 21C, a cooling structure 1330 may include a pluralityof bundles 1331 that are gathered together.

Referring to FIG. 21D, a cooling structure 1340 may be filled withgranules formed of PLA, cut leaves, or charcoal. Also, the granules maybe formed of a mixture of PLA, cut leaves, and charcoal. On the otherhand, the granules may further include an element capable of increasingan aerosol cooling effect in addition to PLA, cut leaves, and/orcharcoal.

Referring to FIG. 21E, a cooling structure 1350 may include a firstcross-section 1351 and a second cross-section 1352.

The first cross-section 1351 may border on the first filter segment 321,and may include a gap through which aerosol is introduced. The secondcross-section 1352 may border on the second filter segment 323, and mayinclude a gap through which the aerosol may be discharged. For example,although each of the first cross-section 1351 and the secondcross-section 1352 may include a single gap having the same diameter,diameters and numbers of gaps included in the first cross-section 1351and the second cross-section 1352 are not limited thereto.

In addition, the cooling structure 1350 may include a thirdcross-section 1353 including a plurality of gaps between the firstcross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352. For example,diameters of the plurality of gaps included in the third cross-section1353 may be less than diameters of the gaps included in the firstcross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352. Also, the numberof the gaps included in the third cross-section 1353 may be greater thanthe number of the gaps included in the first cross-section 1351 and thesecond cross-section 1352.

Referring to FIG. 21F, a cooling structure 1360 may include a firstcross-section 1361 that borders on the first filter segment 321 and asecond cross-section 1362 that borders on the second filter segment 323.Also, the cooling structure 1360 may include one or more tubularelements 1363. For example, each of the tubular elements 1363 may passthrough the first cross-section 1361 and the second cross-section 1362.Also, the tubular element 1363 may be packaged with a microporouspackaging material, and may be filled with a filling material (e.g., thegranules of FIG. 21D) that may increase an aerosol cooling effect.

As described above, a holder may generate aerosol may heating acigarette. Also, aerosol may be generated independently by the holder oreven when the holder is inserted into a cradle and is tilted. Inparticular, when the holder is tilted, a heater may be heated by powerof a battery of the cradle.

The method may be written as computer programs and may be implemented ingeneral-use digital computers that execute the programs by using acomputer-readable recording medium. In addition, a structure of dataused in the method may be recorded on the computer-readable recordingmedium through various means. Examples of the computer-readablerecording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), universal serial bus (USB) drives,floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., compactdisc (CD)-ROMs, or digital versatile disks (DVDs)), etc.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that variouschanges in form and details may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by theappended claims. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be consideredfrom an illustrative point of view, not from a restrictive point ofview. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differenceswithin the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as beingincluded in the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating apparatus provided with amovable heater and may be applied to a heated cigarette or a heatedaerosol generating apparatus.

1. An aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a heater that has an endportion configured to a cigarette based on an electrical signal; asupport portion supporting the heater such that the heater can movewithin a pre-determined range in a longitudinal direction of thecigarette; and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the supportportion, and configured to rotate, thereby to move the heater in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette.
 2. The aerosol generatingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises: anaccommodating portion comprising: an accommodating space extending inthe longitudinal direction of the cigarette, a front opening formed atone end of the accommodating space to receive the cigarette, and a rearopening formed at an opposite end of the accommodating space to receivea front end portion of the heater; and a linear movement guideconfigured to surround a rear end portion of the heater and guidemovement of the heater in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.3. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein a straightprotrusion is provided on one of the linear movement guide and theheater; and a linear groove corresponding to the straight protrusion isprovided in the other one of the linear movement guide and the heater sothat the straight protrusion is inserted into the linear groove, thelinear groove linearly guiding the straight protrusion in thelongitudinal direction of the cigarette.
 4. The aerosol generatingapparatus of claim 3, wherein the rotating member is coupled to an outersurface of the linear movement guide and configured to rotate relativeto the linear movement guide, and wherein a protruding portion isprovided on one of the rotating member and the heater, and a guidegroove is provided in the other one of the rotating member and theheater so that the protruding portion is inserted into the guide groove,the guide groove extending in a rotation direction of the rotatingmember to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of thecigarette.
 5. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4, wherein theprotruding portion is provided on an outer surface of the heater, theguide groove is provided on an inner surface of the rotating member, andthe linear movement guide comprises a through-hole through which theprotruding portion passes and a stopper limiting a movement range of theprotruding portion.
 6. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4,wherein the support portion further comprises a base supporting a rearend portion of the linear movement guide and rotatably supporting therotating member.
 7. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe support portion further comprises an outer case coupled to an outersurface of the accommodating portion and rotatably supporting therotating member along with the base.
 8. The aerosol generating apparatusof claim 1, wherein the rotating member comprises: an accommodatingspace extending in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette, a frontopening formed at one end of the accommodating space to receive thecigarette, and a rear opening formed at an opposite end of theaccommodating space to receive a front end portion of the heater, andwherein the support portion supports a rear end portion of the heatersuch that the heater can move linearly in the longitudinal direction ofthe cigarette.
 9. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe support portion and the heater exclusively comprise a straightprotrusion or a linear groove so that the straight protrusion isinserted into the linear groove, the linear groove guiding the straightprotrusion to linearly move in the longitudinal direction of thecigarette.
 10. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 9, wherein aprotruding portion is provided on one of the rotating member and theheater, and a guide groove is provided in the other one of the rotatingmember and the heater so that the protruding portion is inserted intothe guide groove, the guide groove extending in a rotation direction ofthe rotating member to be inclined with respect to the longitudinaldirection of the cigarette.
 11. The aerosol generating apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a resistive protrusion provided between therotating member and the support portion in a path in which the rotatingmember rotates, and configured to apply resistive force to a rotationmovement of the rotating member.
 12. The aerosol generating apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a stopper provided between the rotatingmember and the support portion in a path in which the rotating memberrotates, and configured to limit a rotation movement of the rotatingmember.
 13. The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising an elastic pressing portion provided between the rotatingmember and the support portion, and configured to press the rotatingmember in a counter direction to a rotation direction of the rotatingmember.